Diprosone cream and ointment (betamethasone)

How does it work?

Diprosone cream and ointment both contain the active ingredient
betamethasone dipropionate, which is a type of medicine called a
topical corticosteroid.

Corticosteroids are medicines used for reducing inflammation.
Inflammation of the skin happens as a result of allergy or irritation of the
skin, and is caused by the release of various substances that are important in
the immune system. These substances cause blood vessels to widen and result in
the irritated area becoming red, swollen, itchy and painful, such as is seen in
dermatitis or eczema.

When betamethasone is applied to the skin it works by acting
inside the cells to decrease the release of these inflammatory substances. This
reduces swelling, redness and itch.

There is a range of potencies of corticosteroids available for
application to the skin. Diprosone cream and ointment contain betamethasone
dipropionate 0.05% and are classed as potent corticosteroids. They are
prescribed to treat various inflammatory skin disorders, such as eczema and
dermatitis, that have not responded to milder steroids.

Diprosone cream is more suitable for moist, weeping areas of
skin, while the thicker, more greasy ointment is more suitable for dry, scaly
areas of skin.

What is it used for?

Diprosone cream and ointment are used to treat a variety of
inflammatory, allergic or itchy skin disorders, such as those listed below,
when milder corticosteroids have not been effective.

An eruption of hard nodules in the skin accompanied by intense
itching (prurigo nodularis).

Skin disorder causing a flat, itchy, violet rash, usually on
the wrists, shins, lower back and genitals (lichen planus).

Inflammatory skin disease known as discoid lupus erythematosus
(DLE).

Intense and widespread reddening of the skin (generalised
erythroderma) in combination with oral or injected corticosteroids.

How do I use it?

Diprosone cream or ointment should be applied thinly to the affected areas of skin once or twice a day to start with. As soon as the condition starts to improve, you should use it less frequently, as directed by your doctor. Click here to see how much cream or ointment to use.

If your doctor has advised you to use dressings with this medicine, the skin should be cleansed before applying the cream, ointment or lotion under a fresh dressing.

Wash your hands thoroughly after applying this medicine, unless the hands are the area being treated.

You should continue using this medicine for as long as your doctor has prescribed. However, if you are applying this medicine to the face or to a child's skin, it should preferably not be used for longer than five days at a time.

Don't use this medicine more often or for longer than advised by your doctor.

Don't apply your moisturisers to the same area of skin at the same time as this medicine. Try to leave at least 30 minutes between applying moisturisers and this medicine, as otherwise the moisturiser could dilute the corticosteroid and potentially make it less effective.

Warning!

Diprosone cream and ointment are for external use on the affected areas of skin only.

You should never use Diprosone as a moisturiser.

Avoid getting this medicine in the eyes, or inside the mouth or nose. Rinse with cold water if accidental contact occurs.

If corticosteroids are used long-term, on large areas of skin, raw or broken skin, skin folds, or under airtight dressings they are absorbed into the body more. This increases the risk of local side effects such as skin thinning, and those on other parts of the body, such as a decrease in the production of natural hormones by the adrenal glands. For this reason, continuous, long-term use of this medicine should be avoided wherever possible, particularly in children and on large areas of skin. You should only use airtight dressings over the affected area if instructed by your doctor. If there is no improvement in your skin after two to four weeks of treatment you should consult your doctor.

If this medicine is used on the face, wherever possible it should not be used for longer than five days. You should not use airtight dressings to cover the area treated.

If used in children, wherever possible this medicine should not be used for longer than five days, or on the face. You should not use airtight dressings to cover the area treated. Be aware that children's nappies can also act as an airtight dressing and can increase the absorption of the medicine. Children being treated with this medicine should be reviewed by the doctor at least once a week.

If you think the area of skin you are treating has become infected you should stop using this medicine and consult your doctor.

Use with caution in

Children (see above).

Psoriasis. If you have been prescribed this medicine to treat psoriasis you should have regular check-ups with your doctor. This is because although corticosteroids may be useful for psoriasis in the short-term, they can sometimes make psoriasis worse, and may cause the condition to relapse into generalised pustular psoriasis after the treatment is stopped.

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to any of
its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously
experienced such an allergy.

If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop
using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist
immediately.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or
breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or
breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the
unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a
pregnancy, before using any medicine.

This medicine should not be used during pregnancy unless
considered essential by your doctor. If it is prescribed by your doctor it
should not be used on large areas of skin, underneath airtight dressings, or
for prolonged periods of time. Consult your doctor for further
information.

This medicine should not be used during breastfeeding unless
considered essential by your doctor. If it is prescribed by your doctor it
should not be used on large areas of skin, underneath airtight dressings or for
prolonged periods of time. If it is applied to the breasts it should be washed
off carefully before breastfeeding and then reapplied afterwards.

Label warnings

This medication is to be spread thinly and sparingly on the
skin.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual
people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are
known to be associated with this medicine. Just because a side effect is stated
here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that
or any side effect.

Skin irritation, eg redness, rash, itching or burning on application, or allergic inflammation of the skin (contact dermatitis). Stop using this medicine and consult your doctor if you think you have experienced a reaction or your skin condition appears to be getting worse.

Prolonged use of this medicine on extensive areas of skin,
broken or raw skin, skin folds or underneath airtight dressings may on very rare
occasions result in enough corticosteroid being absorbed to have side effects
on other parts of the body, for example a decrease in the production of natural
hormones by the adrenal glands, or symptoms of Cushing's syndrome - see warning section above.

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side
effects reported by the medicine's manufacturer.

For more information about any other possible risks associated
with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or
consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How can this medicine affect other medicines?

This medicine is not known to affect other medicines. However, as with all medicines, it is important to tell your doctor or pharmacist what medicines you are already using, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you start treatment with this medicine. Similarly, check with your doctor or pharmacist before using any new medicines while using this one, to make sure that the combination is safe.

If you are using other topical medicines or moisturisers on the same area of skin it is recommended that you leave several minutes between applying each product. This is to allow each product time to be absorbed and avoid them mixing on the skin.

If you apply moisturisers shortly before or after applying this medicine these can dilute the corticosteroid and potentially make it less effective. Try to apply your moisturisers at a different time of day, or at least 30 minutes before or after this one.

The materials in this web site are in no way intended to replace the professional medical care, advice, diagnosis or treatment of a doctor. The web site does not have answers to all problems. Answers to specific problems may not apply to everyone. If you notice medical symptoms or feel ill, you should consult your doctor - for further information see our Terms and conditions.